We were gone for a few days to Big Bear Lake, home of the famous eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo. When we got home, our own "eaglet" (an unnamed baby hummingbird) had grown. It was sitting up in the nest but still appeared to be lacking the full plumage needed to fly. Slightly bald, if you will.
Perhaps I was mistaken because the next day, the little bird flapped its wings a little as if trying out the idea that they might be used for something other than just sitting around.
And, then it was gone amid a short time of distraction. While houseguests arrived and got situated, the nest appeared to have been vacated.
Later, we saw a hummingbird back at the nest but there was considerable debate as to whether this was the mother or the baby.
Today, there is nothing.
I feel a little jilted. I had spent weeks watching the nest and the accumulation of poop below. (This, was on a cover to a propane fire pit which was not in use and won't be until the weather is cooler.) I took pictures, although none turned out well, and peered closer with small binoculars. I tiptoed past the nest when I needed to get to the back yard, trying to be respectful of the young life taking place on our patio - rent free.
It's probably rare to catch the exact moment when a hatchling takes flight for the first time so it's not fair for me to be disappointed even though I'm left with the task of cleaning up the mess left behind. What's worse, is we have a new tenant that is larger and - dare I say - rather disgusting.
No comments:
Post a Comment